Norwegian Groups to Protest Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado

Dec 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM

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Lanka Leader

Several Norwegian organizations focused on peace and international solidarity announced plans to protest the Nobel Committee’s decision to award the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado. The demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday outside the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo.

The coalition, which includes the Norwegian Peace Council, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Norwegian Committee of Solidarity with Latin America, argues that the award conflicts with the principles outlined in Alfred Nobel’s will, specifically the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution and disarmament.

Organizers say their opposition stems from Machado’s longstanding support for U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and her public endorsement of the possibility of foreign—particularly U.S.—military involvement in the country’s political crisis. Machado, a prominent right-wing opposition leader, has denied accusations that she encourages violence, saying her advocacy focuses on restoring democracy in Venezuela.

“A prize intended to promote coexistence and dialogue cannot be granted to figures who support military actions or initiatives that violate international norms,” said Gro Standnes, president of the Norwegian chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Standnes argued that honoring a politician associated with calls for foreign intervention “breaks with the very purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Lina Alvarez, information adviser for the Norwegian Committee of Solidarity with Latin America, also criticized the committee’s decision. She pointed to past statements by former U.S. president Donald Trump, who in 2017 and 2019 publicly suggested the possibility of military action against Venezuela. Alvarez said such rhetoric — along with U.S. operations in the Caribbean that critics describe as violating Venezuelan sovereignty — risked escalating regional tensions.

“It is unacceptable for the Peace Prize to be used in a way that could legitimize the use of force in Latin America,” Alvarez said. “Military interventions by the United States have never brought peace or stability to the region.”

The protest is set to begin at 5 p.m. outside the Nobel Institute. Organizers say they will display slogans including “No Nobel for promoters of war” and “United States: Hands off Latin America.”

The groups also criticize Machado’s international alliances. They note that her party has formal cooperation ties with Israel’s Likud party. Machado has publicly supported Israel in its campaign in Gaza — a stance that has drawn strong reactions among human rights advocates in Norway, many of whom describe Israel’s ongoing military operations as violations of international humanitarian law. Israel rejects those accusations.

Machado has not yet commented on the planned protest. The Nobel Committee has defended its selection, stating that the prize recognizes individuals who play significant roles in promoting democratic freedoms.